Apple Stores Now Selling Scosche's BaseLynx Modular Charging System

[manu chao]

Keep thinking. Using an iPhone while it’s charging is extremely common. Using it while charging wirelessly is possible if the charger orients the phone vertically, which some do. But using it while it’s charging with a cord is obviously much more convenient as you can hold the phone in your hand where it belongs...which you can’t do with a wireless charger. And that’s why I avoid them. There’s nothing “convenient” about a feature that makes an iPhone unusable and takes longer to charge with.

You haven't internalized yet how one uses 'put-down' charging. Put-down charging works like charging an electric toothbrush. Any second the phone is not in your hand (and you are within reach of a Qi charger), the phone is sitting on said charger and is getting topped up. Like with an electric toothbrush, the default state of a phone used with enough Qi chargers is fully charged. There is no need to pencil in time to charge the phone, because most of the time the phone moves from one Qi charger to next (on your nightstand, on your coffee table, on your desk, in your car). Unless you really use your phone for hours without interruption, there will be enough time during those interruptions to keep the phone not too far from fully charged.

And there’s nothing “wireless” about a charger that has to plug into an AC outlet.

When dissing Qi charging, at least do it in a way that makes logical sense. Or is there also nothing "wireless" about a WiFi router that has to be plugged into the cable modem? Qi charging is 'wireless' but not 'contactless'.
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I know someone that bent their iPad Pro when it was not fully supported while charging. Anyone with a 12.9 iPad Pro, I recommend you lay it down flat next to this charger rather than risk having it standing up.

An iPad bending under its own weight?
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You're missing the point. $200 IS a lot of money for something that only improves the look of what already exists. Spending money for looks...even if you have the money...is not really minimalistic. Plus, this particular item is pretty freakin' big.

You are looking at this the wrong way. How do you get people to spend $200 on chargers? Only via looks, there is no technical innovation that isn't already available at low cost.

 

[bviktor]

Also, when can we expect Europe shipping?

 

[Glockworkorange]

Plugging the AirPods case in? Fail.
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You haven't internalized yet how one uses 'put-down' charging. Put-down charging works like charging an electric toothbrush. Any second the phone is not in your hand (and you are within reach of a Qi charger), the phone is sitting on said charger and is getting topped up. Like with an electric toothbrush, the default state of a phone used with enough Qi chargers is fully charged. There is no need to pencil in time to charge the phone, because most of the time the phone moves from one Qi charger to next (on your nightstand, on your coffee table, on your desk, in your car). Unless you really use your phone for hours without interruption, there will be enough time during those interruptions to keep the phone not too far from fully charged.


When dissing Qi charging, at least do it in a way that makes logical sense. Or is there also nothing "wireless" about a WiFi router that has to be plugged into the cable modem? Qi charging is 'wireless' but not 'contactless'.
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An iPad bending under its own weight?
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You are looking at this the wrong way. How do you get people to spend $200 on chargers? Only via looks, there is no technical innovation that isn't already available at low cost.

I don’t know how much good you’re doing your battery if you’re hopping from wireless to wireless charger all day and not depleting the battery by more than 10%. That’s sort of the existence you’re describing

 

[manu chao]

I don’t know how much good you’re doing your battery if you’re hopping from wireless to wireless charger all day and not depleting the battery by more than 10%. That’s sort of the existence you’re describing

Well, laptops have survived such an existence for decades by now. Sure it might shorten the life of the battery, but you'd probably spent much more on those multiple Qi chargers than replacing the battery every two years costs.

 

[Michael Scrip]

That’s weird. Not only did I read this article but I also replied to both these posts with my iPhone laying flat on a wireless charger.

You’re definitely limited when it’s on a Qi charger but it isn’t impossible to use your phone when it’s charging.

Ugh... I knew this response was coming.

You're right. It is possible to use the phone flat on a wireless pad if it's within arms reach and you're above it. My bad for not exploring every possible scenario.

However, the phone stops charging as soon as you pick up the phone to use the phone handheld... whereas the phone will continue to charge if it's connected to a cable.

I would prefer to pick up my phone and use it handheld rather than on a tabletop... but that's just me.

Keep in mind that when you’re plugged in, your also limited to range and how you can handle your phone.

True. That's why I have at 6 foot cables.

I've never felt "limited" by using a phone with a charging cable attached.

And please don't reply with "well what if you want to walk across the room? You'll be dragging a cable behind you!"

I'm gonna go ahead and stop you there... I got it.

Your smartphone is designed to work off battery, not a charging cable.

The phone is designed to work however I damn well please....


Anyway... there are pros and cons to wired and wireless charging. Luckily we have both options available to us right now. Pick your poison.

But I'm really not looking forward to the day when Apple removes the charging port!

 

[Unregistered 4U]

devices in the household that get organized in a particular spot each night and to keep the area neat and tidy.

Or when folks come over and ask if they can use a charger
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we can’t judge what is overspending for other people.

Since Apple’s been around for awhile, a lot of the folks here may have progressed in life to the point that they’re on a fixed income. That can sometimes alter a person’s take on value significantly.

 

[bstpierre]

Bolded:

Think about this for a second, Why would anybody need to use the phone on a wireless charger when its....charging? I think we gather that concept, but it’s purpose is to have the convenience without using a lightning cable directly into the port.

I have done it but I think this is intended for the nightstand so the user would be asleep while it is being used.

 

[LizKat]

I have to keep reminding myself that I enjoy the portable equivalent of shelves full of CDs and DVDs and rack system players and speakers... because it's def a hassle to remember to tote along the different cables and chargers for all my gear.

I'm not sure this collection of charging options is for me although it's attractive; I'm pretty much resigned to having to maintain my little case full of cables and chargers. I more or less use a cutting board on top of a microwave as a charging station area and just charge stuff a couple devices at a time. The routine becomes relatively painless unless I'm traveling. But I still have this lingering fantasy (along with one about an option for brain to disk transcription) about mobile gear that just recharges without assistance or connections as long as it's in a room with normal air in it and within operating temperature range of the gear itself.

 

[DuckyDelite]

Sigh... rassin’ frassin’ USB-A.....the GOOD thing is that, because this is modular, hopefully they’ll come out with ALL USB-C modules eventually. I don’t have USB-A anything anymore, so I’m waiting for the industry to catch up. I’d even be willing to pay a premium now for the option!

Was just thinking the same thing. I understand the USB-A on the EndCap, just in case. But the 2 on the vertical stand means you can't charge two large iPad at the same time.

 

[bluespark]

I agree. I think this is a really clever idea by Scosche (And they have been around a long time), but I question if consumers are willing to pay for this type of ‘modular bridge’ building pieces for a wireless charger. I think consumers just want a simple/cheap wireless charger next to the bedside/desk that probably serve the majority of purposes.

I mean, it's only $150, looks nice on your desk, and because of the modular design does exactly what its buyers want it to. I think tons of people will want it.

 

[carloslegarda]

That's the rub.

When a phone is laying flat on a wireless charger... you CANNOT use it.

But you can use your phone while it's charging with a cable. I do it all the time.

Wireless charging is a great solution for laying your phone down on your nightstand before you go to bed. No muss, no fuss.

But for anywhere else... cables are faster, more efficient, and you can actually use the phone when it's plugged in.

Sidenote: has anyone noticed how a lot of cars have wireless chargers... but they are laying flat... sometimes tucked under the center stack?

That's cool and all... but I guess you won't be using GPS navigation on your phone while charging!

Cars that have that feature of having the phone charging under the center stack will probably have CarPlay feature as well. It's dangerous to drive while looking at your phone.

 

[GreenPixel]

Sigh... rassin’ frassin’ USB-A.....the GOOD thing is that, because this is modular, hopefully they’ll come out with ALL USB-C modules eventually. I don’t have USB-A anything anymore, so I’m waiting for the industry to catch up. I’d even be willing to pay a premium now for the option!

Yeah I don't buy anything that's not USB-C at this point. I'm waiting to buy new lights for my bike because the one's I want are still micro USB.

 

[jagooch]

This looks nice. I'm considering having it replace my current charging setup which is a 10 port Antec USB charger on a shelf for charging a variety if items

• iPad
• iPhone
• Apple watch
• Bose headphones
• Jaybird earbuds
• Kindle reader
• wireless PC Keyboard

The keyboard barely make it unto the shelf due to width, but it this mess of cables works. I'll take a look at the other modules to see if they have ones for all of my devices. If it looks good enough and functions well enough, it might make it onto my birthday wish list to replace my ~$60 charging station solution.

 

[iSayuSay]

Four devices by the same manufacturer, three different ways of charging it (four if you use newest iPad Pro or Macbooks). Two wired charge, two wireless charge that is not compatible with each other. This is the most ironic picture of the year for a company that pride itself in "strong integration within the ecosystem that controls both its hardware and software to work well with each other".

Now if you have these devices: Samsung Note 10, AirPods Pro, iPad Pro and Macbook Pro.. You can only bring USB-C cable, a single wall brick, and nothing else.

 

[mattyj2001]

Keep thinking. Using an iPhone while it’s charging is extremely common. Using it while charging wirelessly is possible if the charger orients the phone vertically, which some do. But using it while it’s charging with a cord is obviously much more convenient as you can hold the phone in your hand where it belongs...which you can’t do with a wireless charger. And that’s why I avoid them. There’s nothing “convenient” about a feature that makes an iPhone unusable and takes longer to charge with. And there’s nothing “wireless” about a charger that has to plug into an AC outlet.

What kind of iPhone do you have, and how long does the battery last? You sleep without using the phone, right? Sounds more like a scheduling issue to me.